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The Canada Child Benefit is a monthly tax-free benefit available to eligible families with children under the age of 18. Its name has changed over the years, and it’s often still referred to by many as the “Child Tax Benefit.”
The CCB is aimed at eradicating child poverty in Canada. It is unique in that the benefits received are not considered taxable income.
This means that the families benefitting from the program will not lose other income-tested benefits such as the GST/HST credit and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Below I cover the CCB payment dates in 2024 and everything you need to know about the Canada Child Benefit.
Table of Contents ShowCanada Revenue Agency (CRA) will send Canada Child Benefit payments for this year on the following dates:
| CCB payment month | CCB payment dates 2024 |
| December 2023 | December 13, 2023 |
| January 2024 | January 19, 2024 |
| February | February 20, 2024 |
| March | March 20, 2024 |
| April | April 19, 2024 |
| May | May 17, 2024 |
| June | June 20, 2024 |
| July | July 19, 2024 |
| August | August 20, 2024 |
| September | September 20, 2024 |
| October | October 18, 2024 |
| November | November 20, 2024 |
| December | December 13, 2024 |
Payments are made directly to the bank account you register with CRA.
While payments are generally made by the 20th of the month, you should wait about a week or so before contacting CRA if you haven’t yet received the benefit.
For July 2024 to June 2025 payment cycle, the CCB provides a maximum annual benefit of $7,787 for each child under the age of 6 and up to $6,570 per year for each child between the age of 6 and 17.
The CCB is a tax-free benefit available to eligible families. The amount you receive is dependent on:
The CCB payment period runs from July to June, and the amount you receive is based on your income tax return for the previous year.
For example, CCB payment amounts for July 2024 to June 2025 payment cycle are based on your family’s net income for the 2023 tax year.
Starting in July 2025, your net income in 2024 will be used to calculate your CCB benefit eligibility.
To continue receiving the CCB, you and your spouse must file an income tax return every year, even if you have not earned taxable income during the year.
You may be eligible to apply for the CCB if you are directly responsible for a child who is a minor (under age 18) and live with them. You must also be a resident of Canada for tax purposes. The female parent is typically considered the primary caregiver.
Automatic application for the CCB occurs when you register the birth of your child with your province.
Newcomers who come to Canada with kids born abroad can complete Form RC66 and mail it to the tax centre closest to them (there are centres in Winnipeg, Sudbury, and Quebec).
You must provide proof of birth, e.g. a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card, and complete the form Schedule RC66SCH, Status in Canada/Statement of Income.
It may take up to 11 weeks for your CCB application to go through.
If you have questions about your CCB application, reach out to the CRA via its Canada Child Benefits phone at 1-800-387-1193.
If you live in the Yukon, Nunavut, or the Northwest Territories, the number to call is 1-866-426-1527.
The government has a child and family benefits calculator (CCB payment calculator) you can use to estimate your monthly payments.
For July 2024 to June 2025 payment period, the following maximum benefits apply:
As your adjusted family net income (AFNI) increases, the amount of CCB you get reduces. The phase-out rate starts at $36,502.
| # of eligible children July 2024 – June 2025) | AFNI over $36,502 and up to $79,087 | AFNI over $79,087 |
| 1 child | 7.0% | 3.2% |
| 2 children | 13.5% | 5.7% |
| 3 children | 19.0% | 8% |
| 4 or more children | 23.0% | 9.5% |
Some provincial child benefit programs are administered by the CRA and are combined with CCB payments, including:
The Alberta Child Benefit and Alberta Family Employment tax credits have been combined and are now called the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB). This benefit is paid out separately from the CCB.
Quebec offers a Family Allowance payment via Retraite Quebec.
Other child benefits available in Quebec include the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care and Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies.
CCB payments increased in July 2024 to keep up with inflation. Another increase is slated for July 2025.
The maximum annual CCB benefit for a child under 6 increased to $7,787, and for those aged 6-17, the maximum annual benefit is now $6,570 per child.
This increase extends to 2025 until the current payment cycle ends in June 2025.
The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is paid to eligible families who have a child under 18 who suffers from a severe and prolonged impairment that limits them physically or mentally.
The maximum Canada Disability Benefit for the period of July 2024 to June 2025 is $276.83 per month or $3,322 per year.
The CDB is included in CCB payments for those who qualify, and payment dates occur on the same dates as the CCB as follows:
For children under age 6, the current maximum monthly benefit is $648.91 per child. For children older than 6 through 17, the maximum monthly benefit is $547.50 per child. Families with a net income below $36,502 will receive the maximum benefit.
Is the Canada Child Benefit taxable?No, the Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free benefit and does not count toward your taxable income when you file your income tax return.
Did the CCB increase in 2024?Yes. The CCB increased in July 2024, and this increase will be reflected in all payments during the cycle that runs from July 2024 to June 2025.
How is the CCB calculated?How much you receive depends on your family’s net income for the previous year, the age and number of your children, and your province of residence.
At what age does the Canada Child Benefit stop?Child benefits stop when your child turns 18, or your family’s net income exceeds the maximum threshold.
Do you pay back child benefits in Canada?If the CRA pays you too much CCB, they will let you know how much was overpaid, and the excess amount may be deducted from your future CCB payments, income tax refund, or GST/HST credit.
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